Priceline for rental cars?

[NewbieMouse]

I wanted to try priceline for our rental car and was wondering if anyone with experience can give me advice on what to bid. We will be renting out of SFO for 10-12 days December 16 - 28.

Any words of wisdom?

 

[ConnieB]

I have never been able to get a great deal with Priceline. I just went and tried for our November trip, and the best price they came up with was $354 and I already have a reservation with the SAME company for $283.
There are a TON of coupons available on the Internet....one place that is Disney related and has quite a few is http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation.html

If you don't find one that is a good price, type in the name of your preferred rental company and the word coupon and see what pops up.

I got my deal through my bank (USAA) also check your credit card company's as often they have coupon codes too. Even our insurance company sends rental ads with our monthly statement, but the bank codes have always been better for us.

One last thing to consider....since you're flying into San Francisco I'm going to guess that you plan to spend time in the City before driving to Southern CA. It is ALWAYS cheaper to rent a car off-airport, so if you're staying with family consider asking them to pick you up and take you to an off site rental. Sometimes it's even cheaper to take BART from the airport to whereever you're visiting and rent then....do the opposite when you return, drop your car and take BART to the airport. BART is a fun ride for kids that have never been on a subway type train.

Bring along lots of things to keep the kids entertained in the car....assuming that you're driving down Highway 5 since it's the quickest route...there isn't much to look at along the way. The coastal route is a prettier drive, but a couple hours longer.

 

[specialks]

Check betterbidding.com or biddingfortravel.com to look at winning priceline bids.

 

[Jazziered]

I like

http://www.carrentals.com

We have always gotten good deals here..

 

[WonkaKid]

I've used Priceline the last three times or so that I've gone to LA. Each time I've gotten excellent deals. The most I've paid is $15 per day. One time they gave me a virtually new red Mustang. I've always had great luck. I think it's the way to go!

 

[specialks]

I agree -- we always use priceline and love it for rental cars. I have even hooked 2 of my in-laws onto it. Never had any problem with the rentals and I have never been asked to pay something different/more than what I already paid priceline. We get minivans and it really helps keep the cost down!

 

[danabalana]

For those of you who've had sucess with Priceline. How far in advance did you book? I'm wondering if waiting til later is better.

 

[calanniebu]

I usually give it a shot within a week or so of my actual rental time period. Since car rentals are easy to cancel, I keep checking and changing my rental when necessary for something cheaper. Some times I've been able to priceline something cheaper ... other times, my original reservation has been cheapest. This has been out of SFO, LAX and SMF.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We have used Priceline for a rental in San Diego. We booked about 2 months out. But it was just a short 3 day trip. It helped us shave a few bucks off the price that we saw online at the same car place.

yes, betterbidding.com is a great site if you are interested in using priceline or hotwire.

 

[Porturican]

I love using Priceline Name your own Price feature. I too use SFO and have gotten cars as cheap as $13/day. But keep in mind that some of the rental spots at SFO require you to have a return itinerary or something. Also once you book a car through the Name your own Price it is non refundable.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Last year my $14.00 bids were rejected 53, 43, and 39 days before my rental date.

But Priceline accepted my $14.00 bid 24 days prior.

With taxes and fees, the car rental was $19.27/day.

Info: Long Beach Airport (LGB); Full-size; 9 days (June 27 – July 5, 2009)

This year, Priceline won’t accept $20.00 11 days prior -- LGB, Full-size, 17 days (July 16* – August 1, 2010) (* coincides with the week of the All-Star Game). Yesterday, Priceline's Name-Your-Price counter-offer was $27/day (not including taxes and fees).

$27.00/day for a Full-size (at LGB airport) is similar to the offer from www.carrentalsavers.com, and carrentalsavers.com doesn't even require a credit card to make a reservation.

HTH

 

[specialks]

I agree that it pays to wait a little. Make a reservation (make sure it is not prepaid) through a rental company or Costco or AAA and then keep checking for lower rates and trying priceline bids. If you don't win a bid for cheaper then you at least have that original reservation to fall back on. If your trip coincides with a major event (our trip in Dec will overlap a major convention) then you probably have less of a chance getting a rental through priceline for a cheaper price (like SS Columbia experienced with the All-Star game)

 

[IDoDis]

I have never been able to get a great deal with Priceline. I just went and tried for our November trip, and the best price they came up with was $354 and I already have a reservation with the SAME company for $283.
There are a TON of coupons available on the Internet....one place that is Disney related and has quite a few is http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation.html

If you don't find one that is a good price, type in the name of your preferred rental company and the word coupon and see what pops up.

I got my deal through my bank (USAA) also check your credit card company's as often they have coupon codes too. Even our insurance company sends rental ads with our monthly statement, but the bank codes have always been better for us.

One last thing to consider....since you're flying into San Francisco I'm going to guess that you plan to spend time in the City before driving to Southern CA. It is ALWAYS cheaper to rent a car off-airport, so if you're staying with family consider asking them to pick you up and take you to an off site rental. Sometimes it's even cheaper to take BART from the airport to whereever you're visiting and rent then....do the opposite when you return, drop your car and take BART to the airport. BART is a fun ride for kids that have never been on a subway type train.

Bring along lots of things to keep the kids entertained in the car....assuming that you're driving down Highway 5 since it's the quickest route...there isn't much to look at along the way. The coastal route is a prettier drive, but a couple hours longer.

The best deal for priceline is to use the "name your own price" link and bid on a car. Sounds like you were looking at the their regular prices. By naming your own price you can chop that price of $354 down by 50-60% or more.

OP, you will be renting during a holiday period, so expect higher prices. Also, because of your time-frame, I'd not wait until too close to your trip, because the prices tend to climb as it gets closer if you are renting during a high-demand time.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Wow lots of tips - thanks to everyone. I already have an off-airport reservation for Dec 18 - 31, but then we shortened the trip to leave on the 28th and rates have gone up since then. So I think I will try priceline name your price but still hold on to my reservation. If I can't get anything cheaper, should I just return the car three days earlier? If I rebook now, it's more expensive than the original booking.